Westland man, UPS driver recognized for safe driving

Bill Beveridge has gone 25 years without an accident while driving for UPS. Several other drivers at the Livonia customer center were also recognized for that honor recently as well.(Photo: David Veselenak | Staff Writer)

Bill Beveridge joined an elite group of UPS drivers in recent weeks, one that most driver’s ed teachers would be proud of.

Beveridge, a Westland resident, recently was recognized by the shipping company for successfully completing 25 years of driving without getting into an accident.

“You never want to get in an accident, that’s for sure,” he said. “You have to watch out for everybody else.”

The Circle of Honor, as it’s known by the company, contains the company’s drivers that have gone 25 years or more driving for the company without an accident. In addition to Beveridge, about 65 other drivers in Michigan were recognized this year for the similar feat. The state has 280 drivers that meet the criteria, including about 10 from the Livonia UPS Customer Center, 29855 Schoolcraft, where Beveridge works out of.

The driver with the longest stretch of time without an accident is Livonia driver Thomas Camp, who has gone 53 years without an accident.

Beveridge, who handles most of his deliveries in residential areas in Westland and Garden City, said there’s been a few close calls when it comes to accidents, but he’s just had to prepare for anything that could happen. Snowfalls, like the ones the area has recently received, present their own challenges as roads are slick or drivers don’t alert others to their intentions on the road.

“You just have to expect the unexpected, because you never know what the driver next to you is going to do,” he said. “Half the time they don’t use their blinkers or signals.

“You definitely have to watch out for them.”

Driving techniques taught by UPS can come in handy for workers, said Michael Scott, a communications supervisor with UPS. Keeping themselves ready for any situation is how they avoid accidents that could injure the driver or another motorist.

“If we’re defensive drivers, that makes us good drivers,” he said. “It’s really just about safety.”

Beveridge drives less than some other drivers, logging only 50 or 60 miles but doing mostly residential neighborhood deliveries.

“You’ve got to watch out for the kids in the summertime. Because they’re not watching for us,” he said. “Just watch out for us.”